16 Jun 2012

More family violence feared because of court fees

5:40 am on 16 June 2012

The Association of Counsellors says fees introduced for the Family Court will hurt the most vulnerable families and could increase family violence.

From next month, a couple will have to pay $220 for the court to help settle arguments about child care arrangements.

Disagreements about dividing up assets will cost $700 to lodge and $906 for each half day hearing.

The services were previously free.

Association president Jonathon Loan says the new fees will hit at-risk families particularly hard.

He says pricing them out of the Family Court service denies them their fundamental right to have access to justice.